CHAPTER VIII 



INSECTS I HAVE WATCHED 



I WAS first attracted to the science of Entomology when in my 

 teens, as on my fishing expeditions I used to watch the dandy 

 Dragon Fly coquetting very near my float, and in those unre- 

 generate days I sought after the larva of the Caddis Fly for bait. 

 As I sat waiting for a " bite," Mayflies danced on mazy wings 

 downstream, and many other aquatic insects came under my 

 notice. Later on, when I had acquired some knowledge of 

 insectivorous birds, and, later, of plant life, I was compelled to 

 devote some amount of attention to winged creatures in order 

 to appreciate and understand a few of the strands which go 

 to make up the web of life. 



I have long been puzzled as to why insects make such a limited 

 appeal to even so-called Nature lovers, and I could never under- 

 stand why more grown-ups do not see fit to become acquainted 

 with the remarkable life -stories that some of our most familiar 

 insects possess. Be that as it may, I am an insect-watcher, and 

 have thus some tales to tell concerning a few that have aroused 

 my interest. 



When I take my walks abroad in early Spring, just as the 

 leaves of the Wild Arum have unrolled their arrowy margins, 

 I expect to discover on a sunny southern bank, or perchance 

 crawling across my path, the sombre form of the Oil Beetle. 

 This species may be distinguished by its deep mourning attire, 

 the lengthy, segmented abdomen, and short wing cases. If you 

 pick the insect up, apt evidence will be forthcoming as to its 

 popular English name as drops of oily fluid will be exuded, and 

 the unwary person will cease acquaintance with the creature 

 straight away. 



I have watched this early Spring rover eagerly devouring 

 the fresh green Arum leaves, and have seen it enter the heart of 

 a wayside flower for the purpose of depositing its eggs within. 

 When the grub is hatched, it stays in its environment until a 

 Bee comes along, pollen or nectar gathering, and then contrives 

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